The 23-year-old spent 18 months at the Riverside, where he was part of an impressive defence that conceded a league-low of 31 goals last season, helping Aitor Karanka's side secure automatic promotion on the final day.

Rather, the 6 foot starlet's next destination is a little closer to home in the form of Chelsea's west London rivals Fulham. The defender is not in Antonio Conte's immediate plans and will spend another season away from Stamford Bridge after spending last season on loan with Premier League newcomers Middlesbrough.

He joined Chelsea from Sigma Olomouc for £5.2m in 2010 and has had spells on loan at Vitesse and Cologne also.

Fulham fans will want big improvement from their defence with last summer's signing Richard Stearman most in need of improvement - signing Tomas Kalas gives them options at right back and centre back.

"When I was at Middlesbrough nobody expected us in the playoffs, and after the two seasons Fulham have had, no one expects them to be that high. But why not? After two bad seasons should come the better one".